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The 2018 Oceania Laser Masters Championships has kicked off on the shores of the Sofitel Resort in Fiji, hosted by The Denarau Yacht Club. Following Brett Beyer’s coaching sessions yesterday, the sailors completed the first two races of the event today in what was reported to be ideal conditions.

Australian Brett Beyer championed the Standard Masters division at the 2018 Laser Masters World Championships in Dún Laoghaire last month, therefore it is no surprise that he kick started this event with two bullets. American Peter Hurley was also consistent today, finishing third and second respectively in the two races behind Beyer. With the Laser Standard age divisions all competing together, Apprentice Master Dave Ridley of New Zealand is sitting in third overall after the first two races with a second and a fourth-place finish.

The leading Laser Standard Grand Master is currently Rob Muru of Canada, in fifth place overall. The leading Great Grand Master is Australia’s John Black, in 17th overall.

In the Laser Radials, Grand Master Roger Winton of New Zealand is atop the leaderboard, also with two firsts. Behind Winton, is a tie for second after the first two races. Australian Legend John d’Helin finished with a fourth and a second, as did fellow countryman, Great Grand Master Geoff Kohlman.

Day 2….Challenging racing and close finishes defined the second day at the Oceania Laser Masters Championships. Today the sky was dark and menacing with low clouds, and at times heavy rain and extremely high humidity. The fleet set out on the water with intermittent rain, 5–9 knots, and a temperature of 30ºC.At the finish of the first race, a big rain squall came through and cooled everything down.

Australian Brett Beyer is still in the lead, after scoring a DNF in the first race (currently his drop race) of the day, and a second-place finish for Race 4. New Zealand’s Dave Ridley has climbed into second overall after kicking off Day 2 with a seventh, but securing a win in the final race of the day. Martin Koning of the Netherlands is only one point behind Ridley overall, after claiming Race 3 and securing a fourth-place finish in Race 4.

The leading Laser Standard Grand Master is currently still Rob Muru of Canada, in sixth place overall. The leading Great Grand Master is Richard Ineson of New Zealand, in 19th overall.

In the Laser Radials, Grand Master Roger Winton of New Zealand has held his position atop the leaderboard, with only four total points over four races. Great Grand Master Geoff Kohlman has slid into second place overall, only one point ahead of Corinthian Viliame Ratulu of Fiji and Australian Legend John d’Helin.

Day 3-4…. Today was the final day of racing at the Oceania Laser Masters World Championships. Both yesterday and today were brighter with high clouds and a building trade breeze of 8–10 knots.

In the Standard fleet, Australian Master Brett Beyer finished top-three in each of the last four races, to secure his lead overall of the Standard fleet. Apprentice Master Dave Ridley of New Zealand kept Beyer on his toes, staying close by in each race and finishing second overall, only six points behind. Rounding out the podium, is Dutch Master Martin Koning who is actually tied for points with Master Peter Hurley of USA.

The leading Laser Standard Grand Master is Canadian Rob Muru, who climbed back up to fifth place overall. The leading Great Grand Master is Richard Ineson of New Zealand, in 18th overall.

In the Laser Radials, Grand Master Roger Winton of New Zealand has held his position atop the leaderboard, with only seven total points over eight races. Corinthian Viliame Ratulu of Fiji had an outstanding performance the last two days finishing top-three in the final four races, one of which he claimed a first place ahead of Winton. Sitting in third overall is Apprentice Master Robert Vine of Thailand who also was very consistent. Australian Legend John d’Helin, came in fourth overall of the Radial fleet.

All in all, the sailors seem thrilled with the regatta week in Fiji, hosted by Denarau Yacht Club and sponsored with brand-new PSA Lasers. The prize-giving ceremony will be held this evening.

We have made two changes to improve the Oceania Fiji Masters in October.

Firstly, we have combined the Radial event with the Standard Rig one to be run between the 13th and 19th of October (with racing between the 15th to 19th of October) i.e. same as for the original Standard Rig event. We will have enough charter boats to manage this and having the two rigs together will make a better event.

Second, we have introduced the new Corinthian category to allow sailors aged 21 to 34 to participate. This category is proving popular with local sailors.

The Notice of Race posted here and the online entry here now reflect these two changes.

Entries for the event have been coming in though the timing this year, being quite close to the Laser Masters Worlds in Ireland has been problematic for some sailors, we are still confident that we will get many additional entries before the September 13th closing date.

Inquiries are flying in for the inaugural Oceania Laser Masters Championship which will see the fleet take over the Denarau region of Fiji’s main island from the 13th to 19th of October this year.

So far eight countries are set to be represented for the two event regatta which includes the standard and radial rigs. Sailors from Australia, New Zealand, UK, USA, Hawaii, Thailand, Singapore and of course Fiji, are on the entry list to enjoy the tranquil surroundings and epic racing.

We are proud to announce Fiji Airways as our partner for the 2018 Oceania Laser Master Championships. Fiji Airways provides great deals on flights from around the world, operating international and domestic flights. Looking for exclusive flights and accomodation from outside of Australia, USA or New Zealand? Contact Fiji Airways today.

Book before the 21st of September 2018 to take advantage of exclusive flights and accommodation packages for participants/supporters of the Oceania Laser Masters Competition 2018. As official event sponsors, Fiji Airways and Sofitel Fiji Resort & Spa have partnered together to offer you great deals. As the venue for the competition, your stay at Sofitel will have you placed in the heart of the action.

Make your grand arrival at an inspired 5-star Denarau resort hotel, a cultural oasis by the sparkling bay. Please join us for a Magnifique voyage to the tropical splendour of Fiji. We look forward to welcoming you with our refined French art de recevoir blended with the gracious and heartfelt warmth of the Fijian spirit. Life is Magnifique in Fiji.

Book before the 21st of September 2018 to take advantage of exclusive flights and accommodation packages for participants/supporters of the Oceania Laser Masters Competition 2018. As official event sponsors, Fiji Airways and Sofitel Fiji Resort & Spa have partnered together to offer you great deals. As the venue for the competition, your stay at Sofitel will have you placed in the heart of the action.

PSA will be supplying 100 Brand New Lasers for this event, they will be chartered on a first come first served basis, book early to avoid disappointment. Charter bookings now open and a deposit of $200 AUD for the 2018 Oceania Laser Master Championships, Sofitel Resort & Spa, Denarau Island, Fiji will be required to secure your boat for the event, link below for online payment.